Come Alive

Is there a point to being a Christian if you're not going to do Christ's work? That question inevitably arises while watching the documentary Come Alive, which takes a loving look at the Christian Care Center built 30 years ago by the First Baptist Church in Leesburg, FL—a house of worship that became an active practitioner of hands-on helping of people who really need it. Spread over several acres, the Center consists of a cluster of buildings with specific purposes, including a residence for men (and another for women) who are battling addiction and ready for a faith-based, long-term, rigorous process for getting clean and receiving life instruction. Also on hand are a "benevolence" building that is essentially a food bank, and a community medical facility. As the mission of the Center has expanded and diversified over the decades, so too have opportunities for clients to receive overlapping services (and it's not unusual for folks to get back on their feet and volunteer or be hired at the Center). Offering an inspiring model for other churches interested in making a difference, this is recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)